Football

Messi's 13th assist helps Casemiro level for Inter Miami against Chicago

Lionel Messi collected his league-leading 13th assist of the season when he set up Carlos Casemiro for the equalizer early in the second half, and Inter Miami tied Chicago 1-1 before a crowd of 63,094 - the most for a Fire match at Soldier Field. Inter Miami (12-4-8) evened the score three minutes into the second half when Messi sent the ball Casemiro's way off a free kick for his third goal in his eighth MLS appearance. Casemiro's goals have come on headers in three straight matches. Chicago (11-6-6) jumped in front in the 10th minute on a goal by Robert Lewandowski - his sixth in his first nine MLS matches. Defender Andrew Gutman picked up his sixth assist and Robin Lod notched his fourth as the Fire took the lead into halftime. Chris Brady had six saves for Chicago. Brady made a diving save on a shot by German Berterame in the 16th minute - one of three first-half saves to keep the Fire in front. Dayne St. Claire saved two shots for Inter Miami, which has gone 1-2-4 since the st

Ronaldo's Al-Nassr target Asian Champions League glory in Saudi title bid

What could be Cristiano Ronaldo's last chance to win a first Asian Champions League title for his Saudi club will get underway next week. Ronaldo's Al-Nassr is one of five Saudi Pro League teams in the tournament. Combined, they've spent more than $2 billion on foreign players since 2023, with Al-Ahli lifting the continental trophy in each of the last two seasons. Al-Ahli captain and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is hoping to make it three in a row in the 32-team tournament. "This is the biggest club in Saudi Arabia and Asia and we will do everything to win," Mendy, who signed from English Premier League club Chelsea in 2023, told The Associated Press. "Last year, we won the Champions League and we will have to use all the things we did then to be successful this time, too. We are building year after year." One competition, two zones ================= The tournament is divided into two geographic zones until the playoffs, with the top eight teams from each progressing to the Round of

Dembele, Kane, Mbappe lead Ballon d'Or race as Putellas leads womens field

Last year's winner Ousmane Dembele, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe are among the top contenders for the men's Ballon d'Or. The 30 men's and 30 women's nominees were revealed by France Football magazine on Tuesday, with the winners to be announced at a ceremony in London on Oct. 26. In the women's field, two-time winner Alexia Putellas, Ewa Pajor and Melchie Dumornay are among the favorites. Aitana Bonmati, the winner of the past three awards, did not make the cut after missing most of the season through injury. She returned at the end of Barcelona's quadruple-winning season that included another Champions League title. Dembele and Mbappe both played for France at the World Cup, where their team lost to eventual champion Spain in the semifinals. Although it's difficult to win the accolade without a major trophy, Mbappe made history when he overtook Lionel Messi for the most all-time World Cup goals (22), in fewer games. After claiming a second straight Champions League title with Pari

Modric included in Croatia squad for Nations League 2026-27 edition

Luka Modric was named by coach Slaven Bilic in the Croatia squad on Monday for the Nations League to continue his standout international career. When Croatia plays at Czech Republic in its opening Group A game of the Nations League on Sept. 26, Modric will earn his 203rd cap at age 41. In July he signed up for one more club season with AC Milan. Only Cristiano Ronaldo has more international games (233) for Portugal and Lionel Messi who announced his retirement from international soccer with Argentina a week ago had 207. "I did not have to persuade him," Bilic said. "He is passionate about Croatia and the national team, so this is a win-win situation." Croatia also faces World Cup champion Spain and England in the group as England in the 2026-27 Nations League group phase that runs from September to November. Bilic suggested Modric won't be used in all group matches. "He will play at a pace that suits both him and us, similar to his rhythm at Milan," he said. "We have to respect t

Pochettino calls for change in US mindset after Pulisic's Gold Cup snub

US coach Mauricio Pochettino vowed to change the attitude and habits of the American national team as he starts a second term, appearing to refer to star Christian Pulisic's decision to skip the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup. "It was difficult to make the roster for the Gold Cup one year before because the mindset was different," Pochettino said Monday during an online question-and-answer session with reporters. "You say, 'If I play, I have not holidays. I cannot arrive fresh for the World Cup.' ... You know now that is bull----." Pochettino said his goal "is to change this type of idea that are not right." Pulisic, the top American player, took himself out of consideration for the 2025 Gold Cup citing the need to rest after his season with AC Milan and the hope to be fresh for the 2026 World Cup. He didn't score in four World Cup appearances this year, missing one group-stage match because of a calf injury and leaving the Americans' round of 16 loss to Belgium on July 6 after fracturing h

Man United suffer late blow as Everton snatch 2-2 draw in Premier League

Ainsley Maitland-Niles struck in added time to rescue a 2-2 draw for Everton against Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday. The deadline day signing came off the bench to make his debut and curled a brilliant long-range shot into the top corner to salvage a point for his new club. United twice led at Hill Dickinson Stadium through goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, who looked to have scored the winner in the 88th. But Everton had an answer on both occasions, with Tyrique George also scoring. "Everybody wants to start off like that," Maitland-Niles said. "The ball fell to me on the edge of the box. I put my foot through it, it ended up in the top corner, which I'm happy about." It was another setback for United, which has just one win from its opening three games of the season after a loss to Hull and victory against Ipswich. Defensive frailties cost United again as it conceded two goals for the third game running. Mbeumo fired United in front straight after .

Lamine Yamal hits brace as Barcelona seal fourth straight La Liga win

Barcelona stayed perfect in the Spanish league by cruising to a 5-0 win at Valencia, with Lamine Yamal scoring another brace for the Catalan club. Arsenal rallied to beat Chelsea 2-1 in the Premier League, while Manchester United was stunned in added time to draw 2-2 at Everton on Sunday. Federico Gatti scored two minutes into stoppage time as Juventus drew 1-1 with AC Milan in Serie A. Augsburg moved to the top of the Bundesliga by winning 4-1 at Eintracht Frankfurt, and American midfielder Giovanni Reyna scored in Strasbourg's 6-2 rout of Troyes in France. Barcelona keeps winning in Spain ===================== Barcelona won its fourth game in a row at the start of the Spanish league and is the only team with a perfect record after four rounds. Yamal scored a goal in each half following his first two goals of the season in the win against Rayo Vallecano in the previous round. "I think we played a fantastic game," Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said. "We controlled the game, we we

PSG continue their $460m summer sell-off as Ibrahim Mbaye joins Aston Villa

Two-time European champion Paris Saint-Germain sold yet another player on transfer deadline day, with Ibrahim Mbaye joining Aston Villa as the French club continues its metamorphosis from big spender to big earner. The Senegal forward joined on a permanent transfer, both clubs said. PSG has been the European club generating the highest transfer revenues from departures this summer, with a total of more than 400 million euros ($464 million), ahead of Premier League clubs Aston Villa and Manchester City. PSG parted ways with a big name - France forward Bradley Barcola - in the biggest signing of the summer transfer window, but has only sold players who were used in a substitute role by coach Luis Enrique, a deliberate strategy of the club. The 18-year-old Mbaye, a product of PSG youth academy, has 15 caps with Senegal and became the youngest African player to score at the World Cup this summer in a 3-1 defeat against France. Two years ago, he also was the youngest PSG player to make

Barcelona complete deadline-day transfer for Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus

Gabriel Jesus completed a transfer deadline day move from Arsenal to Barcelona on Tuesday on a three-year contract. The 29-year-old Brazil striker was part of Arsenal's Premier League title-winning squad last season after lifting four league crowns with Manchester City. He joins Spanish champion Barcelona following the departure of Robert Lewandowski at the end of last season. Jesus joined Arsenal in 2022 after six trophy-laden seasons at City. Despite enduring an injury-disrupted time at the Emirates Stadium, he was part of the squad that ended the London club's 22-year wait to be crowned English champion. Jesus is the latest arrival in a busy transfer window for Barcelona, following deals for Anthony Gordon, Rodri, Joao Cancelo, Karim Adeyemi and Dominik Livakovic.

Arsenal win again as Malen shines for Roma in another four-goal victory

Arsenal beat Aston Villa 1-0 away from home to maintain its winning start to the Premier League while Barcelona and Roma preserved their perfect records in Spain and Italy with convincing wins on Monday. Osasuna beat Getafe 1-0 to continue its unbeaten start in La Liga, while Atalanta had to wait until the final minute to get the goal that beat Bologna in Serie A. Rampant Barcelona top La Liga ==================== Lamine Yamal and Raphinha both scored a brace and English winger Anthony Gordon grabbed two assists as Barcelona beat Rayo Vallecano 5-2 to record its 21st consecutive home victory. Rayo was looking for its first win of the season and it took an unexpected lead in the 12th minute when Sergio Camello hammered home a cutback from Alvaro Garcia on the left. Barcelona, however, bounced back almost immediately and it was 2-1 up before the first period was even halfway over. Raphinha equalized with a well-taken goal in the 18th and Lamine Yamal put them ahead 90 seconds late

USA's Folarin Balogun set for Premier League move with Everton: Report

United States striker Folarin Balogun is set to head to Premier League team Everton on a transfer from Monaco, British media reported on Monday. The transfer fee offered by Everton is reported to be in the range of 40 million pounds ($54 million) on a four-year deal, the British Press Association said. It said personal terms had yet to be worked out before the deal could be completed prior to Tuesday's transfer deadline. The 25-year-old Balogun, who had two years remaining on a contract at Monaco, gained attention this summer scoring three goals for the United States as it reached the knockout stage of the World Cup. He was the top scorer for the U.S. team. He also made headlines after drawing a red card and a one-game suspension in a 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in a round-of-32 match. The one-game suspension was deferred by FIFA after U.S. President Donald Trump intervened, allowing Balogun to play in the round of 16. Balogun eventually played in the 4-1 loss to Belgiu

World Cup to Copa America: How Messi performed for Argentina on big stage

Messi featured in six World Cups and seven Copa Americas before bringing the curtain down on his international career with Argentina

Messi's Argentina legacy: Records and milestones that are tough to match

In his 21-year-long career with the Argentina national team, Messi went on to break multiple records that would be hard to match or break for generations to come

Top 5 iconic moments that defined Lionel Messi's international legacy

If one moment defines Messi's international legacy above all others, it is the image of him lifting the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Lusail

The pain before the glory: Messi's 5 biggest heartbreaks with Argentina

Messi ended his Argentina career as one of their greatest, but in his 21-year journey in the blue and white jersey, he also had to endure his fair share of heartbreaks before achieving success

From 2016 retirement to World Cup glory: Messi's Argentina redemption story

The retirement of 2016 looked like the end of Messi's Argentina story. Instead, it became the beginning of his greatest chapter

End of an era: Messi announces retirement from international football

Messi retires as Argentina's most-capped player and its all-time leading goalscorer, with 207 appearances and 125 goals

Bellingham inspires another Madrid win; Chelsea rout Brighton with four

Jude Bellingham starred as Real Madrid made it three wins in three games under Jose Mourinho in the Spanish league while former coach Xabi Alonso, now at Chelsea, also enjoyed another victory. Bellingham scored one goal and created another, and Kylian Mbappe and substitute Arda Guler also scored, as Madrid eased to a 4-0 home win over promoted Malaga, back in La Liga after eight years. Chelsea emerged with a 4-3 win over Brighton in the Premier League, where Bruno Fernandes scored a hat trick as Manchester United bounced back from an early setback against Ipswich with a 5-2 victory. Bellingham unstoppable in Spain ==================== Bellingham, who scored Madrid's first goal of the season, got the first again Sunday after surging past a couple of Malaga defenders and shooting past goalkeeper Alfonso Herrero from a narrow angle. Some fans in the stadium responded by singing the Beatles hit "Hey Jude." He forced the ball over again shortly afterward, heading the rebound from an .

UEFA vs Infantino: How the battle for FIFA's future is escalating

According to media reports, UEFA has launched legal proceedings in the US and Switzerland over Infantino's handling of a controversial proposal to bring private-equity investment into FIFA

Ceferin says no FIFA challenge but urges Infantino to step down from post

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin says he won't run against FIFA President Gianni Infantino but warned the beleaguered head of world soccer that he must either quit or face a leadership challenge in March. Infantino has come under increasing pressure to step down over his plan, now aborted, to sell stakes in soccer's biggest tournament, the World Cup, to private equity investors. Three of the sport's continental confederations accused him of "deception" and European soccer body UEFA threatened a boycott of FIFA competitions. "One option is that he realizes that he doesn't have the support, and that's not only a political support of the ones who vote, but the political support of football community, the political support of fans, the political support of the players, former players, coaches," Ceferin said in an interview with "The Rest is Politics: Leading" British podcast which is set to be broadcast Monday. "And the second option is that he goes to the elections in March, but in th